Fear No Evil (Alex Cross, 29)

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Good things – this was one of Patterson’s better Alex Cross novels. The tempo was fastmoving with lots of drama. The plotlines pretty much were delivered in staccato fast-moving fashion, along with a few curveballs thrown in to make the outcome more interesting. There wasn’t much family development other than Bree’s storyline, which I enjoyed for the most part. She deserved some well- earned time in the spotlight and delivered strong. James Patterson is the best-selling author in the world. At this point he is practically an institution. However, even though I have been reading his work since the very beginning, nothing quite measures up for me like his classic thriller series featuring Alex Cross. The good doctor has come a long way since ALONG CAME A SPIDER, as FEAR NO EVIL will demonstrate.

Now, that I complimented the “M” storyline, I need to explain that I also had problems with it too. One if the challenges with reading Patterson is that you have to suspend your disbelief at times because the action scenes and storylines are a bit unrealistic. Some novels require more disbelief than others. This was one where the level of disbelief needed was extremely high. There was a lot of shooting, stabbing, and killing in this one. The body count and torturing were higher than normal, and that is saying a lot for a Patterson novel. In a fast paced-book with all of the tension and suspense that Patterson brings to these books, the reader is treated to a number of scenarios where the body count rises and the danger increases, building the tension until we realize that Cross and Sampson are in the maelstrom of several brutally violent outbursts from which escape is hardly likely. No one gets this big without amazing natural storytelling talent - which is what Jim has, in spades. The Alex Cross series proves it ' Lee Child Come the end of the year, come Alex Cross, the much-loved protagonist created by James Patterson and the only series he still writes solo. Throughout the rest of the year, James Patterson‘s releases are all about collaborations, where the co-writers touch or style contributes to the eventual outcome. Similarly, this series is completely James Patterson and the series reflects that as well. Alex Cross and his lovable family comprising of Nana Mama (Alex’s 90-year-old grandmother and the matriarch of the family), his wife Bree, sons Damon and Ali, and daughter Jannie. Each with their colorful shares in the progress of the series. In Fear No Evil Cross is once again working with his long term friend and partner at Metro PD, John Sampson, and FBI agent Ned Mahoney. They have had their fair share of fiendish antagonists over the years but the most puzzling surely has to be M or Maestro whose interventions have sometimes been helpful and sometimes deadly.

Speaking of Cross’ family, his wife Bree --- an ex-cop herself --- takes on an assignment for the Bluestone organization, which will send her to Paris, France, in pursuit of a serial rapist and alleged killer. Not only does the novel jump between Cross and Bree, it offers us glimpses into the Maestro organization with occasional bits on M. It seems there is no one who can be trusted as every level of law enforcement attempts to unmask them before they can kill more people or follow through on any terrorist threats. Engrossing as always, this also manages to bind two separate stories nicely together and the breathtaking climax well justifies the long wait for the new Alex Cross. The chemistry and camaraderie between Alex and John, that between Alex and Bree, and in fact, between all members of the extended Alex Cross family is nuanced and warm. it makes you want to be a part of such a family. Nana Mama is the smart twenty-first century grandmother, much like Seamus from the Michael Bennett series. Ali is also becoming quite a detective, on his own time and has a small little subplot of his own here. The interesting thing for me is that this overload of activity and storylines was a good thing and also a bad thing. Let me explain.

The main part of the plot is set in the beautiful wilderness of Montana with a sub plot involving Bree taking place in Paris. Alex and a still grieving Sampson are about to leave on a much needed trip into the wilderness when they’re called to a murder scene in the middle of Washington, DC. It soon becomes clear that someone is targeting Federal Agents. Bad things - Ali had a small storyline, which could have been expanded and involved the reader more. Instead, Patterson went with a reveal after the fact approach which I felt like was a missed opportunity to develop Ali directly.Throughout the entirety of the Alex Cross series, Patterson has consistently included the strong bond of friendship and love, and this continues with Fear No Evil. Cross is still the supportive husband to Bree and good friend and longtime partner to John Sampson, always there in their times of need.

Cross’ case is temporarily derailed when he learns of a terrorist incident in Paris with which Bree has been mixed up. Having no idea whether or not she’s alive, he jumps on a flight to Paris to find her. Thankfully, she is okay, and it turns out that the frightening episode was the responsibility of M and his group, bringing Cross’ and Bree’s cases full circle with each other. I want someone who can help me understand the situation enough to halt the needless killing. . . . You do know that you can never stop that kind of violence, Señor Cross. I’ve spent my whole life in it. Never once stopped. Oh, maybe a week here, a week there. But violence, fighting for what’s yours, building an empire, becoming as king—that is the natural course of life. How are you going to stop life doing its violent things?” I’ve been reading James Patterson books for over twenty-five years. During that time, like most of his fans, my favorite character has always been Alex Cross. He was Patterson’s first detective series that helped lay the foundation for his kingdom of several bestselling series and stand-alone novels. For me, Alex has remained a fierce, intellectual knight of moral character and the proper use of action. I remember reading the Alex’s first adventure, “Along came a Spider” and almost cried when Alex, then a widower, faced the loss of his new love in an ending twist I would never forget. In the twenty-seven years following, there have been some good (and excellent) adventures and some less-than-stellar outings along the way, but I generally looked forward to the end of each year when another Alex Cross adventure was published.

All the while Patterson teases with the elusive identity of his main antagonist and why they would be targeting Cross. There will be some answers, and some surprises, though one answer was, I felt fairly predictable, but not enough to spoil what is a tense and adrenaline-fueled thrill ride through the beautiful and wild Montana rapids. I liked the mysterious “M” (or “Maestro”) storyline and the way its unfolded over several books. It feels like with the way this book ended, Patterson is setting up for a big Cross/”M” faceoff in the next one to coincide with it being the 30th Alex Cross and an anniversary book. It could be Patterson’s own version of WrestleMania with some surprises and payoffs. But then, I may just be wishing. We’ll see. Either way, it is time to bring the “M” storyline to come to a boil and culminate.

When a series reaches Book 29, you know the author is doing something right! I’ve always loved a dose of Alex Cross, the tall detective whose family sustains him, from his current wife, Bree Stone– now in an elite private practice as an investigator, to his children, Damon, Jannie, and Ali and the mainstay of his home hub, Regina, known as Nana Mama, getting so much older, but still cooking delicious meals for the family that make your mouth water as you read about them. The focus was also on Alex’s best friend, John Sampson, and his daughter, which deserved some stage time too. I enjoyed his time on the stage a lot. He’s more than Alex’s best friend; he’s really Alex’s brother and is a key influence and balance to Alex, and I appreciated his moments to shine.

Overall, this was one of the better Alex Cross novels, moving the “M” storyline forward to a hopeful conclusion in the next book which will be his 30th outing. I have really enjoyed Alex Cross, and finding him developing within his family and who are his best friends within the FBI and the Police. His best friend, John Sampson his great friend since they were 10 years old has been a most enjoyable development. James Patterson’s Alex Cross series has endured for almost three decades, bringing to readers worldwide the unadulterated storytelling prowess of one of the most prolific and biggest selling authors in the world today. Fear No Evil, the 29th Alex Cross novel, had me excited from the moment I received the e-ARC courtesy of the author and the publishers via the lovely NetGalley!